Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Seniors in West Virginia
West Virginia requires a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage, and most drivers, including seniors, have good reason to carry more than the minimum.
Yes, and West Virginia already requires some of it
West Virginia law requires insurers to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every auto policy unless the driver rejects it in writing. So if you have a policy in this state, you likely already have this coverage unless you specifically turned it down.
For an older driver, this coverage matters because it pays for your injuries and damage when the other driver has no insurance or not enough of it, regardless of your own health coverage or how your claim against the other driver turns out. Whether the amount you have is enough depends on your policy limits, which is worth checking rather than assuming.
Your policy limits decide what you'd actually collect
Uninsured motorist coverage only pays up to the limit written on your policy. If you carry the state minimum, that's what you'll have to work with no matter how serious the accident is or how much the at-fault driver's lack of insurance costs you.
Many drivers carry the same uninsured motorist limit they started with years ago and never revisit it. Medical costs and vehicle repair costs have both gone up since then, so a limit that felt adequate once may not stretch as far now.
It's worth asking your insurer what your current uninsured and underinsured motorist limits are, separately from your liability limits. These are often confused but they protect you in different situations.
Underinsured motorist coverage is the part people overlook
Uninsured motorist coverage pays when the other driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage pays when they have insurance but not enough to cover what you're owed. Both matter, and many drivers only think about the first one.
If you're in an accident with a driver who carries only the state minimum liability coverage, and your injuries or damage cost more than that, underinsured motorist coverage is what closes the gap. Without it, you'd be covering the rest yourself.
This matters more as medical costs rise with age and recovery can take longer. Ask your insurer to confirm both figures on your declarations page, not just the one labeled uninsured.
Questions people ask about this
Can I reject uninsured motorist coverage in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia allows you to decline this coverage, but you have to do it in writing. If you never signed a rejection form, you likely have the coverage as part of your policy already.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cost more for seniors?
This depends on your insurer and your overall driving record, not your age alone. Ask your agent or insurer directly how this coverage is priced on your policy.
What happens if a hit-and-run driver can't be identified?
Uninsured motorist coverage typically applies to hit-and-run accidents since the other driver's insurance status can't be confirmed. Check with your insurer about what documentation they require, such as a police report filed soon after the accident.
Does my health insurance or Medicare cover what uninsured motorist coverage would?
Medicare and other health coverage can pay for medical treatment after an accident, but they don't cover vehicle damage or other losses the way uninsured motorist coverage does. The two serve different purposes and having one doesn't replace the other.
Should I drop uninsured motorist coverage if I drive an older car?
The value of your car affects whether collision coverage makes sense, but uninsured motorist coverage is about your injuries and losses, not your car's value. That reasoning for dropping coverage on an old car doesn't carry over to this coverage.
See how your uninsured motorist limits compare if you're not sure they still fit your situation.
Pull out your current auto policy or declarations page and find the line that lists your uninsured and underinsured motorist limits. Call your insurer or agent and ask them to confirm both numbers and explain whether you ever signed a form rejecting or reducing this coverage. Ask what it would cost to raise those limits, since the answer is specific to your policy and driving history. If you're helping a parent with this, do the same check on their policy, since older policies are sometimes never updated after the first year. Bring any renewal notice with you, since it often lists current limits in one place.
